The saying goes; ‘One person’s trash is another’s treasure‘, and in the case of some of the million dollar antique items that were given up for less than a penny or two made their new owners nothing less than millionaires. In this article we will take a look at a number of antique items that have sold for over a million dollars in the last couple of decades.
Antique Comics and Books Worth Millions
It is hard to believe a comic book that has sold previously for a mere couple of penny’s could today be worth upwards of one million dollars. In terms of million dollar comic books, their worth comes from their age or their rarity.
The Codex Leicester
Purchased by the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, the Codex Leicester is the famous work of Da Vinci. The Codex Leicester is a hand written 72 page notebook that notes all of the thoughts and ideas of Da Vinci. The Codex Leicester still stands at the most expensive book to ever sell. The book contains sketches, diagrams and written ideas. This notebook is considered to have been the most important written information by Da Vinci.
| Age of Book | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 16th Century (1506 – 1510) | $30.8 million | 1994 |
Shakespeare’s First Folio
A book containing the scripts of William Shakespeare’s plays was published soon after his death in 1623. 750 copies of this book were published although it is believed less than 200 of them are still in existence. A co-founder of Microsoft purchased one edition in near mint condition during 2001 for a record breaking $6.1 million dollars.
| Age of Book | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1623 | $6.1 million | 2001 |
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
The first edition of the Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer sold for $7.5 million, a price that no one had anticipated. This particular book was written towards the end of the 15th century (1477) and outlines stories of 30 different pilgrims in society. This book is popular in today’s society as it provides us with glimpses of life of differing levels of society from the 15th century. Only 12 copies of this book still in existence and this was the last copy that was being held in private hands.
| Age of Book | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1477 | $7.5 million | 1998 |
The Gutenberg Bible
One of the possibly 48 Gutenberg bibles left in the world sold for $4.9 million during 1987. The Gutenberg bible was the first book printed with a movable type (printing press) and gets it’s name from Johannes Gutenberg who was the man who printed the edition. The original 180 copies that were printed were priced at 30 guilder which meant only those of status could afford them as it was equal to a clerks wage for three years. The bibles came in two versions, one a paper version and another printed on vellum. The vellum versions are much rarer and therefor fetch a higher auction price. It is thought that it took between 3 and 5 years for the 180 bibles containing 1286 pages each to be printed.
| Age of Book | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1456 | $4.9 million | 1987 |
First Appearance of Superman Comic
While this comic may not entirely be classed as an antique just yet, it sure did sell for an antique price. This comic book was within the ‘Action Comics’ series and displays the introduction of the much loved Superman. While this comic was only priced at 10c when 200,000 copies sold during 1938, it is believed that there is less than 100 pristine copies left globally each worth millions of dollars. The worth of this vintage comic comes from the ‘man of steel’ being a century long icon, the excellent condition of this comic for it’s age and the rarity of the item.
| Age of Comic | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1938 | $3.2 million | 2014 |
First Appearance of the Dark Night Comic
The Detective Comic series is valuable although in particular number 27 within this series when the Dark Night is introduced has fetched one of the highest comic auction prices. This vintage comic is the book every enthusiasts strives to have in their collection. In 2010 a well kept condition number 27 Detective Comic sold for just over a million dollars at auction.
| Age of Comic | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1939 | $1.075 million | 2010 |
Antique Coins and Notes Worth Millions
1891 US Red Seal $1,000 Note
While the 1891 US Red Seal note has a monetary value of $1,000 audiences at the auction were surprised when the final bid saw it sell for $2.5 million. This note is the second known to still be in existence today with the first note selling during 1944 for only $1,350. The 1891 note features General Meade who was known for his work in the US civil war battle of Gettysburg. The Red Seal is a note collectors dream.
| Age of Note | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1891 | $2.5 million | 2013 |
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Known as the most valuable US nickel to date, crafted during the early 1900’s, this coin was always going to go for millions on auction day. Due to it’s rarity, only 5 to ever be produced and it’s mint condition, it went under the hammer during August 2018 and sold to the highest bidder for $4.56 million. During 1913 it is hard to believe this nickel only had a monetary value of 5 cents. The 4 other 1913 Liberty Head US Nickel’s are in private hands or displayed in museums.
| Age of Coin | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1913 | $4.5 million | 2018 |
1787 Brasher Doubloon Coin
A rare 1787 Brasher Doubloon Coin, one of the first gold coins to circulate in the United States sold for an impressive $4.58 million during 2014. This coin was crafted by Ephraim Brasher who was a silversmith who once lived next door to George Washington. Of the 7 Brasher Doubloon coins known to be in existence, this example was in the best kept condition. During 2018, experts suggest the coin may now be worth well over $5 million.
| Age of Coin | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1787 | $4.58 million | January 9th 2014 |
1794/5 Flowing hair Silver and Copper Coin
If you thought $5 million dollars was an excessive amount for a coin to sell at auction, you’d be even more surprised to know that the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver and Copper Coin fetched nothing short of $10 million. Experts believe this is the first US minted coin which escalated the price astronomically. The design of this coin was only ever used in 1794 and the following year. While this coin is silver not gold, this did not seem to deter any bidders on auction day.
| Age of Coin | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1794 | $10 million | January 24th 2013 |
1890 Grand Watermelon Bill
Known as the ‘Grand Watermelon Note’ due to the color on the reverse side, this 1890 example sold for well over $2 million dollar during a 2018 auction. Only 2 of these notes were printed during 1890 and while not worth as much as the same example with the ‘red seal’ on the front side, this note still broke many auction records.
| Age of Note | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1890 | $2 million | 2018 |
Antique Stamps Worth Millions
Antique 1847 Two Pence Postal Stamp
While each of the 1847 Two Pence Postal Stamps can fetch around $600,00 each, a rare example that featured two of the stamps side by side sold for $3.8 million during 1993. It is believed less than 30 of this stamp exist in today’s society.
| Age of Stamp | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1847 | $3.8 million | 1993 |
Antique 1840 One Penny Postal Stamp in Black
Only 2 known examples of the one penny black 1840 postal stamp exist therefor it is no surprise such a small stamp fetched $5 million at auction. Designed by Rowland Hill who proposed to reform the British Postal system, this was the first stamp produced in the UK. While the black one penny stamp was used for an entire year, it was later replaced with differing colored stamps that allowed postal services to easily see the red cancellation mark.
| Age of Stamp | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1840 | $5 million | Unknown |
Antique 1855 Treskilling Yellow Stamp
One of the first stamps produced to feature the Swedish coat of arms sold for auction during 1996 for a record breaking $2.27 million. This stamp only fetched such a high price as it was a misprint. The orange paper it was printed on was for the eight-skilling stamp rather than this three-skilling example. The three-skilling Swedish coat of arm stamps are always seen to be printed on green paper. This is the only known misprinted example to date.
| Age of Stamp | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1855 | $2.27 million | 1996 |
Antique 1918 Inverted Jenny Stamp
The 24 cent 1918 Inverted Jenny Stamp was the first of three issued during May of 1918. While there were many correct prints of the stamp, approximately 100 were printed with an inverted airplane which made them high priced collectors items. During 2005 an inverted stamp sold for $2.97 million while many years later another example only fetched $1.35 million during 2016. It is believe two four blocks of these stamps still exist for two unknown lucky owners.
| Age of Stamp | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1918 | $2.97 million | 2005 |
Antique Toys Worth Millions
Antique Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal Cards
While the Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal Cards can only just be classed as an antique, one example of a card (1909-11 T206) sold for $1.2 million. The same card although a better version then sold during 2016 for $3.12 million. When these cards were produced, only 200 were sold and it is believed less than 50 are still in circulation. To add to the rarity, it is said that Honus Wagner demanded he be removed from the cards at the time, making the card where he is depicted even more rare.
| Age of Toy | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1909 | $3.12 million | October 2016 |
Antique Ornaments Worth Millions
Chinese Song Dynasty Bowl
Thought to be almost 1000 years old, it is not surprise that this Chinese Song Dynasty Bowl in immaculate condition fetched $38 million during 2017. While the bowl only measures 13 cm in diameter, it is a rare example of Chinese porcelain with only four or so pieces known to be in existence. The luminous blue glaze of this bowl appears to be in impeccable condition.
| Age of Ornament | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 900 Years Old | $38 million | 2017 |
Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase
This 18th century vase shocked onlookers when it sold for $85.9 million during November 2010. This vase previously owned by a brother/sister duo who found the item in their attic never believing it would be worth so much. Experts believe that the vase was made for one of the imperial palaces between 1735 to 1796.
| Age of Ornament | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1740 | $80.2 million | 2010 |
Antique Jewelry Worth Millions
Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Tiara
The world’s most expensive tiara also known as the ‘Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Tiara’ shocked on lookers when the highest bidder won it over for $12.3 million during 2011. The tiara fetched such a high price due to it’s age, who has owned it in history but more importantly the fact it incorporates 11 rare Colombian pear-shaped emeralds. The tiara also features many smaller diamonds and 11 larger cushion shaped diamonds.
| Age of Jewelry | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1900 | $12.3 million | 2011 |
Marie Antoinette’s Pearl Pendant
Once belonging to French Queen Marie Antoinette, auctioneers were shocked when bids reached $30 million. The lucky highest bidder took home the pearl for $32 million USD. The pearl is astronomically large measuring 2.58 centimeters long. This pendant also features a large white diamond.
| Age of Jewelry | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1700’s | $32 million | 2018 |
La Peregrina Pearl
There are a number of reasons why the La Peregrina Pearl is famous. For starters the pearl is very large, just over 50 carats in weight. Secondly the pearly is extremely old, dating back to the 1500’s. Thirdly the pearl is attached to a necklace designed for and worn by Elizabeth Taylor. Furthermore, the pearl within the necklace was passed down by many many kings. While auctioneers expected the La Peregrina Pearl to fetch a high price within the millions, no one expected the highest bid to be $11.8 million.
| Age of Jewelry | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1576 | $11.8 million | 2011 |
Patek Philippe Pocket Watch
The Patek Philippe Pocket Watch makes the million dollar antique list for it’s auction price of $1.5 million during 2011 although more recently the pocket watch sold again for $24 million during 2014. This pocket watch is an early piece of art and is one of the most complicated pocket watches known in history. The watch is made from 18 karat gold and was named after banker Henry Graves Junior.
| Age of Jewelry | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1914 | $1.5 million | 2011 |
Antique Artwork Worth Millions
Pablo Picasso’s ‘Fillette à la corbeille fleurie’
While all of Pablo Picasso’s works of art are valuable, a 2018 sale of the ‘Fillette à la corbeille fleurie’ saw the highest bid a record breaking $115 million. This artwork depicts a young girl with a flower basket on a blue/grey background. The bidding began at $90 million and it did not take long to reach $115 million. While this may seem like a lot for an artwork, another Pablo Picasso piece sold for just below $180 million (Les femmes d’Alger).
| Age of Artwork | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1905 | $115 million | 2018 |
Claude Monet ‘Nymphéas en fleur’
During 2018 a famous Claude Monet artwork sold for $84 million. This piece of work was created during 1914 and is quite large in size measuring 160 cm by 180 cm. All the lily’s within this painting are in full bloom which is a Chinese good luck sign.
| Age of Artwork | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1914 | $84 million | 2018 |
Su Shi ‘Wood and Rock’
Selling for almost $60 million during 2018 was the Su Shi ‘Wood and Rock’ work of art. This is a 1000 year old scroll painting from the Song Dynasty period. This and one other scroll are the only two known works of art by Su Shi which escalates the price of each even further.
| Age of Artwork | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1071 – 1101 | $59 million | 2018 |
Vincent van Gogh ‘Vue de l’asile et de la Chapelle Saint-Paul de Mausole’
Vincent van Goghs oil on canvas painting known as ‘Vue de l’asile et de la Chapelle Saint-Paul de Mausole’ sold for $39 million in 2018. Painted in 1889, this piece of art by van Gogh is of the 12th-century Romanesque chapel. This piece of work is unique as it is a landscape of the outdoors that contrasts with his other pieces of art that are of indoor items or scenes.
| Age of Artwork | Price Sold for at Auction | Date of Sale |
| 1889 | $39 million | 2018 |
Omg. The information tells how rare our handmade silver jewelry is. It is worth stocking it.
My sister has one of the honus Wagner cards
I have a bunch of the two cent Pence postage stamps who do I sell them too?
If one as items deemed worthy of an auction, where would you go in the Atlanta area/